Skopje, 3 September 2024 (MIA) – Commenting on the no confidence motion initiated against him, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi said democracy was an opportunity to listen to opposing arguments, however "this is not an interpellation against Afrim Gashi, but against the Parliament Speaker's religious affiliation".

Who has the legitimacy in the country to say who can or cannot be the Parliament Speaker just because he comes from certain ethnic community, Gashi said addressing the MPs. 

"The Parliament is a place where there should be accountability, and the citizens make the final judgement. I am an open person, and I do not hide anything from anyone, but I want an open approach to all issues. That's why I publicly raise a question, to whom does this interpellation serve and for what purpose. I am sure that the answer to these questions gives the essence of this interpellation. Levica is a party that should ideologically unite and feed the people with the theory of equality, but unfortunately, in reality, it is a party that is very often profiled on the extreme right with its views - against our Euro-Atlantic integration, our commitment to good neighborly relations and our commitment to interethnic harmony. It is very bad when the card of nationalism is played, for condemning the other, without hearing out the other side. It does not take a deep understanding of politics to see that those who are against our European path and who threaten our internal ethnic cohesion, are working against the existence of our state," said Gashi.   

According to him, though the no confidence motion seems legally formulated, it is purely politically motivated and the wording itself is full of Islamophobia and Albanianophobia.

"This is not an interpellation against Afrim Gashi, but against the Parliament Speaker's religious affiliation. This is not an interpellation against exceeding the powers of the Parliament Speaker in terms of security, but against good neighborly relations and commitments in terms of the recognition of Kosovo. This is not an interpellation about the alleged violation of the Law on Languages, but because of the phobia against the Albanian language and the ethnic affiliation of the Speaker. This is not an interpellation towards the EU and NATO flag, but an interpellation towards our strategic goal," said Gashi. 

The most important thing for him, he added, is to maintain integrity and name.

"I will not respond and debate. I will withdraw and will not lead the session. I would like you to decide without any pressure, as you think is best for the country," said Gashi. 

Elaborating on the no confidence motion, MP and Levica leader Dimitar Apasiev said they based it on seven arguments, although in the meantime the Speaker had made three or four more scandals.

According to Apasiev, the no confidence motion is based on violation of the secularity of the state by leading a group prayer in Parliament, violation of diplomatic security rules - with the incident at the Skopje Airport involving Kosovo's President, the use of the Macedonian language in Parliament, violation of rules for the use of state insignia, allowing MP Talat Xhaferi to hold incompatible offices, the legal and ethical provisions on anti-nepotism - the presence of Gashi's wife in the state delegation to Washington and violation of the Rules of Procedure in terms of normal work of the MPs.

"Unlike your predecessor Talat Xhaferi, who was a master of scandals, you surpassed him and in practically 100 days you made a barrage of scandals and became perhaps a grandmaster of scandals," said Apasiev. 

We'll see, he added, whether the VMRO-DPMNE MPs will grant you impunity today. 

The debate on the interpellation shall last no more than one working day. Tuesday’s session is the first plenary session after the Parliament's summer recess. 

The no-confidence motion submitted by Levica’s MPs is to be backed by opposition SDSM, whereas VMRO-DPMNE and coalition partner 'Worth It' will not give their support. 

Photo: MIA